For Dan Heinritz, a life well lived eventually caught up with his joints. An athlete in his younger days and a physical education teacher throughout his career, Dan stayed in shape himself while also educating high school students about healthy lifestyles.
In his youth, Dan played several contact sports, including football, basketball, and baseball. As a teacher, he developed a passion for adventure education. He led students through activities including pole climbing, belaying, zip lining, and ropes courses.
Like many teachers, Dan worked additional jobs in the summer and during downtimes. His side hustles as a painter and sports official also stressed his joints. Eventually it all compounded as he developed worsening knee pain.
“It got to the point where it was, just do the surgery,” Dan says. “Why walk around on knees that are killing you?”
Taking a Toll
An active couple, Dan and his wife enjoy walking, biking, and traveling. Dan knew it was time to do something when his knee pain began to impact his ability to take part in favorite activities.
“It changes your life as far as how strenuous of things you do,” he says.
To help treat the pain, Dan started with cortisone injections, but eventually they stopped working. He went on to have an osteotomy, a bone-cutting procedure designed to realign and reshape the bones and joints.
Dan, 70, says the recovery from the osteotomy was extremely painful. It also didn’t work to relieve his symptoms in the long term. It was then that he chose to undergo his first of two knee replacement procedures around five years ago.
The first surgery was a success, but it’s not uncommon to have the second knee start to suffer after having one knee replaced. For Dan, that began to happen a few years after the first surgery.
“When you do the first knee, you also wear out the second one because you’re compensating,” he says.
Access to Innovation
When it came time for Dan’s second knee replacement, he chose ThedaCare Medical Center-Orthopedic, Spine and Pain, where he also works part time as a valet. He specifically sought a surgeon who specialized in robotic-assisted surgery.
Dan had experienced robotic surgery with his first knee replacement and saw the positive outcomes that came with it. That led him to seek it once again. When Dan met with ThedaCare Orthopedic Surgeon David Liebelt, he knew he’d found the right fit.
Dr. Liebelt’s team helped Dan schedule his surgery in July of 2023, just two weeks after his initial consult. From there, they assisted in arranging all the pre-surgery care he would need as well.
“The staff that he’s got, they’re just amazing people,” Dan says. “They were so cooperative and helpful.”
“We pride ourselves on getting patients in as soon as possible and creating a treatment plan that works for the patient,” Dr. Liebelt says. “Their recovery is dependent on that surgery being performed at their convenience, so we strive to get the surgery done when the patient needs it done.”
Robotic-Assisted Surgery
Dan’s surgery, with the assistance of the ROSA robotic knee system, exceeded his expectations.
“It’s clean and efficient, and the recovery was quick,” Dan says. “The scarring was minimal because the cuts were so much cleaner.”
Dr. Liebelt stresses that when a patient undergoes a robotic-assisted procedure, it’s still the surgeon doing the surgery. ROSA uses a robotic arm and landmarks taken throughout the procedure to help ensure accurate measurements and precise placement of the metal or plastic knee replacement components.
“The robot is providing more information to surgeons to help carry out a surgery that they already perform themselves,” Dr. Liebelt says.
Recovery and Beyond
After his first knee replacement years ago, Dan stayed overnight in the hospital. For his second surgery, he left by noon on the same day.
From there, his recovery progressed smoothly. After just four weeks, Dan felt quite a bit better. He returned to work after six weeks.
“To me, that was amazing,” he says.
Dan credits his physical therapy team, a few of whom were former students of his, for assisting him in his recovery. They helped Dan get back to the point where he could drive and become more independent sooner.
“They were wonderful,” he says. “They encouraged me without pushing too hard.”
Now nearly 18 months out from his second knee replacement, Dan has resumed his favorite activities. He and his wife walk every day and bike several times a week. They can also visit their three kids and eight grandkids with ease. The couple recently traveled to Alaska and Glacier National Park, walking and hiking countless miles.
“It was true test of one year out,” Dan says of the trip. “It was easy. I was ready for it.”
Advice to Others
For those who are contemplating a knee replacement, Dan offers some wisdom.
“If you’re in severe pain, don’t wait too long,” he says. “I waited way too long the first time. My leg wouldn’t even bend anymore.”
He also urges others to ask a lot of questions if they have concerns and to stay active if possible. Recovery is easier if you’re physically fit, he says.
“It really made it easier to go through the procedure, pre and post,” he says.
Dr. Liebelt says it’s gratifying to see Dan return to doing what he loves.
“The goals of joint replacement are restoring function and alleviating pain,” he says. “When a surgery is successful and a patient is back to the things that make them happy, that’s the ultimate reward for a surgeon.”
